Red Control of Strike

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 657, 8 May 1929, Page 9

Red Control of Strike

EXTREMISTS TAKE CHARGE Power-House Workers Restive SINISTER UTTERANCE BY GARDEN (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) Received 9 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. REMARKABLE disclosures in regard to the personnel of the strike committee which is directing the timber workers’ strike were made last night. It was shown by the employers that the conduct of the strike had passed from the hands of the officials of the Timber Workers’ Union to a number of uncompromising extremists who are now in complete charge of the dispute.

'J'l-IKSE individuals were neither timber workers nor Australians. They included members of the Red Internationale, and it is certain that Communists dominate the committee. The employees at the Yallourn electrical power-house have decided to support the timber workers who are on strike. The latest information respecting the attitude of the Yallourn men is that they are not inclined to become involved in a general strike unless the members of all the other power and light unions in Geelong and Melbourne are called out. However, they have agreed to give financial support to Iho timbermen. The Labour leaders do not desire a general strike, as it would be liable to defeat the aims of the strikers. The railwaymen have decided to remain loyal so far as the essential services are concerned. Mr. J. Garden, secretary of the Sydney Trades and Labour Council, was to-day introduced to a meeting of unionists as one of the conciliators in the New South Wales dispute. He criticised the railwaymen for attempting to avoid a strike. Mr. Garden said the policy in New South Wales was to make the employers suffer the same’as the men. One night out for the men at the Yallourn electrical works would be more than enough for the Melbourne employers. One night of darkness in the city and there would be a few more new suits worn. Also the workers would have free gold watches.

remarks made by Mr. Jock Garden that: “In Sydney we marched in a body to the Court and ordered the Judge to put us into gaol. The associate to the Judge said to me, ‘Jock, the Judge has get the wind up.’ I interviewed the Judge and gained a promise we would get what we wanted.” Judge Dethridge says he has never spoken to Mr. Garden in his life, and would not know him. Mr. Garden’s inflammatory speeches have aroused Melbourne. The Premier, Sir William McPherson, warned him that he would be well-advised to restrain himself from inciting unionists.